25 posts tagged “musings”

Leftover Vietnam Musings...pt 2

Mar 16, 2009
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Not many thoughts in the end haha! But here's the final part of it. The rest of the stuff I thought about and wrote during my trip can't be shared with you guys sorry!

Stoned

Halong Bay & Cat Ba Island

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I admit Halong Bay was a beautiful spot and I can see how magnificent the location is. For the life of me though, I can't see how some of those rock formations got their names. I tried. I really did. But some of those names left me scratching my head! I could only nod in agreement when my guide pointed out the rocks to us, take a quick snap and then squint and stare very hard to make the connection! Maybe I just don't have a very good imagination. What were those Vietnamese fishermen smoki

Surreal

Halong Bay & Cat Ba Island

I've experienced many moments that make me go "WTF?!" but this ranks quite high up there on the surreal table. There I was, floating peacefully on a boat down Halong Bay. The sun was getting ready to set and we've just finished an afternoon of marvelling at the gorgeous rock formations and caves that the Bay boasted. As we came to the end of our tour, activities on the boat had pretty much wound down. Our guide was busy below deck as we neared Cat Ba Island, and we were all rather tired.

I was freezing, but enjoying the moment, as the evening breeze said hello and the rocks stared down at us instead. My fellow tourmates were either busy snapping photos, napping or chatting about their coming stay on the boat. Suddenly I heard the sounds of a harmonica. The song was faintly recognisable but I think it was Frank Sinatra's 'My Way'. I stopped to stare at the Korean guy who was playing, wondering if I was imagining the whole thing. I turned my gaze back to the cool blue water of the bay, and I chuckled.

Peace

Halong Bay & Cat Ba Island

After the assault on my privacy and senses that is Hanoi, it was nice to find solitude on Cat Ba 2 beach. As I write this, the place is practically deserted, save for the handful of staff and some bored-ass tourists mucking around. The only sounds in the background are the crashing of the waves and the spluttering of a motorboat heading out to sea. I did my 2009 lifeplan during my 2.5hours on that beach. It was definitely worth the 2km trek from my hotel.

holiday

Feb 26, 2009
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"Let's go away for a while, you and I

To a strange and distant land

where they speak no word of truth

But we don't understand anyway."

- Holiday, Weezer, Blue Album

I think I've been bitten by the travel bug. I so wish to pack up and go. Anywhere right now. My mind's swimming with choices. Lots of great travel offers on Jetstar, Tiger and Air Asia. I'm thinking of visiting my friends in Jakarta. Or visiting Bangkok. Or going back to Hanoi and checking out Hue, or chill in KL? I only have 8days of leave left to clear by September. So it'll probably be one of the short-term jaunts. I definitely hope to hit Laos in the next 2 years. Will need at least a week for that.

I'm planning my Lombok trip for maybe early next year or end of this year. A coupla months ago, I booked a 3N 3room villa stay at IMAJ Private Villas for SGD$90 which is under USD$140? really cheap. It'd be great if I can bring some friends along for a nice group getaway. I'm sponsoring the accomodation! they still have some promo vouchers I believe so go and check it out. I have the next 5 years to use mine actually. My friend and his wife owns the place.

But the reality is, work's kicking in to pedal to the metal mode and we're ramping things up as we aim for private beta next week. And also, the publishing industry is in the shits. As are all other industries. Still, I can't wait to travel again!

Weezer - Holiday

Hanging in Hanoi pt. 1

Jan 14, 2009
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If I wrote what exactly I did every day of my week-long trip to Vietnam, you might get bored. So I thought while waiting to upload my 1,000 (thereabouts) pictures on Flickr, I'll share some of the thoughts that popped into my head during my getaway. They're pretty random but I think that probably captures the spirit of the trip as well. I'll jot them down over the next few posts as I collect and try to make sense of the the dribs and drabs I scribbled in my moleskin.

Tale of 2 Cities

Hanoi is not Saigon and Vietnam is not Thailand. Don't mix them up. The Thais, in my opinion, remain the warmest folks I've met and offer the best variety and quality in terms of food and well, maybe shopping, in our region.

Vietnam is an economy on the rise and its people are quick to warm up to capitalism. The people are slightly more brusque in their everyday dealings, though you can't read that as rude, merely more direct. Bargaining doesn't really exist but they can be nice, just not Thai-nice. Still, so long as you treat others with respect, it's okay but they're quick to try and pull off a quick one. You can get quoted 5 difference prices for the same thing while walking down the same street. Honest.

And although I was in Saigon for only about 3 days before, I feel that the people there are more laidback than the Hanoi-ans. Maybe not so aggressive for a sale and the traffic wasn't so crazy. And of course, weather-wise, Hanoi has the four seasons while Saigon is hot or rainy (apparently). That sounds like Singapore no? I enjoyed my stay in Hanoi despite the exterior "coldness" of the place. I was beginning to fit in well! Esp since people either thought I was Thai or local. I had a ball sitting by the road of my hotel eying the tourists walking up and down. I think I'll miss that the most.

Horn-Oi

They should seriously consider re-naming Hanoi, Horn-Oi. The crazy traffic means incessant honking throughout the entire day and pretty much everywhere. Those who stay near the busier intersections probably need mufflers. The best part is nobody really gets angry at being honked at; it's become part and parcel of their everyday commute and for pedestrians, it's definitely useful to know you're in harm's way. Although anytime you're putting yourself on those roads means you're definitely in harm's way! I'm glad I've been to Vietnam before though, I was crossing the roads like a pro!

Oi will be your adopted name as people address you, trying to get your attention in some way. 1-hour cyclo ride around the city, massage boom-boom, taxi offer to wherever it is you look like you're headed...Just smile politely and decline. And don't look lost, even if you are lost (like I was when I got off the bus from the airport). That definitely attracts the vultures. Just walk like you know where you are going (like I did but I didn't really know where I was going, I walked 15mins down the wrong direction). But I don't understand why some tourists need to be so rude going about declining these folks and every other peddler they meet. Smile, say no and walk on.

chilled out.

Jan 13, 2009
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well, i'm back in singapore after a week in and around Hanoi, specifically, Hanoi, Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island. I have to say the weather was cold because it's winter. I expected that but didn't expect temperature to dip so low. I think it hovered around 13 - 18 deg. celsius while i was there which is pretty chilly coming from humid singapore. Still it was great to wear my jacket every day and sport a scarf too. Although wearing the same jeans night and day for 7days straight didn't hit me till I reached the airport. ditto for the cigarette-reeking jacket. I wouldn't mind some of that cold here!

the truth is, i wasn't there as a tourist per se. As in, I wasn't there to sight see all that much. I fitted in whatever i had time (or desire) to view and just did my own thing for the most part. I tried to get what I could for those who asked. If I didn't well, this trip isn't about them.

Ultimately, I wanted to get away from people, home, office, whatever is familiar around me. I wanted time and peace alone.Me-time. To Plot. Reminisce. Forget. Forgive. Cut. Focus. To Think about the year past. the year that's now and to sort things out in my life, especially now that i'm 30. For the most part, it was a productive trip.

Funnily, Hanoi probably isn't the best of places for quiet reflection, considering its crazy-ass traffic but I found solitude on Cat Ba Island and its pretty desolate beach(it is winter after all). I managed about 2 1/2 hours of thinking and self-debate which was really productive. The 1km trek up-slope was definitely worth it. Some of those little observations I'll post up soonish, along with the pictures.

I need to settle some administrative matters firstly so later peeps.

auspicium melioris aevi

Jan 4, 2009
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sunset at city hall

2008 was a bittersweet one on so many levels. Everytime I thought I had something to be happy about, something else came along and fucked it all up. It didn't just happen once though. I had my buzz killed so many times, I was afraid to accept good news by the end of the year.

On the surface, I admit there were quite a few fun moments last year but they can't quite cover up the fact that on the whole, 2008 was a pretty shitty year. I should have been happier than what I'm feeling now, but whatever joy I experience was wiped out by the feelings of resentment, confusion and anger. I do give my thanks for a few things (as listed below) but I kept waiting for the rug to be pulled under my feet. It was that kind of year.

I sincerely hope that by the end of 2009, we'll be able to look back with a proper, mega-watt smile and be genuinely happy to say we've had a good year. Outlook is bleak though and the dirty snowball of fail from 2008 will most likely make its impact felt even harder this year.

But hope, as they say, springs eternal. And I've never taken anything for granted anyway. I subscribe to the school of hard knocks theory that if you want something in life, you've got to work to make it happen. Just don't lose your self-belief.

things i am thankful for at the start of 2009:

1. I still have a job despite the uncertain economic landscape.

2. all things considered, i'm working for a large and successful local corporation. I still have half a year of probation though. i hope it passes without too much of a hassle.

3. my mum's health is much better after starting dialysis.

4. I have new friends at work who have made the office(s) a welcome second home and work a lot less of a chore.

5. at this point in time, i still enjoy what i do for a living.

6. i am embarking on a major new project at work

7. i can pay off my bills and household commitments each month, and still be relatively comfortable. i wish i was even more comfortable though.

8. i have not totally lost all my old friends. and it's nice to know most of us still care enough for each other.

things i hope to achieve by end of 2009:

1. Be a lot healthier

2. Be more financially successful

3. Produce better quality work

4. live life outside the office better

let's see if i can stick to these 4! heh. Have a good one guys and may whatever you work, and wish for, come to fruition.

slaying it with music

Dec 20, 2008
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Barneygif

"Rock Music And Tunes From Barney Being Used As Torture For Prisoners Of War
Wednesday December 10, 2008
CityNews.ca Staff
You've heard of water boarding, sleep deprivation, humiliation and other kids of physical torture. But now meet the latest device to extract information from prisoners of war: the music of Sesame Street and Barney."

Source: CityNews

Okay, this is slow I know but I was a bit hung up on other things. I'm sure you've read or heard about the use of rock music and songs from Barney by the US forces to torture their prisoners. I was in disbelief then slowly realised it made sense. Reading on, I was keen to discover who were the lucky ones to be on the mixtape. Rage Against the Machine, NIN and various other hard rock outfits featured prominently. That made sense too.

Reactions have been mixed. A number of the bands featured have apparently started a petition to protest while a handful expressed pride in being one of the chosen one. I think it's hilarious but I feel they're making a mistake with the choice of such angry, aggressive, loud songs. I mean, do you really need any more motivation for people with the propensity to kill by letting them listen to heavy metal songs? Some of them do understand English you know!

If they really want to annoy these prisoners, and emphasise the ills of Western infidels and their music, I can think of a few more worthy "musicians". Crazy Frog, William Hung, Yanni, American Idol drop-outs, whatever passing off as hip hop or "gangsta rap" these days and well, the list goes on really. Lock them in for maybe an hour with all these horrible assault to our sense of hearing and by the end of the 60minutes, they'd rather stuff some C4 up their asses and blow themselves up in the desert.

Have a taste of hell bitches!!!

Korean boy's SINGING "TOUCH MY BODY", Mariah Carey's song

i'm 30.

Dec 14, 2008
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okay so i turned 30 today.been waiting to turn 30 for the longest time.i don't know why, i'm weird like that okay.

the original plan was to throw a McDonald's party (cos I've never had one) but since I don't have many friends, plus I'm getting rather lazy to plan parties these days, I pulled the plug on that. Maybe next year. Anyway, how was I to battle ZoukOut?

The party money is thus going towards funding my Hanoi trip in January. And not to mention my brand-new Canon G10 digital camera. I'll share some shots when I upload them. It's damn fierce can. And not cheap, even after the media discount.

Still, I was looking forward to celebrating my birthday in some way, was supposed to go out today but I busted my knee a couple days before and it still hasn't healed properly. I was so looking forward to shooting with my camera and well, just being out. I can walk without my cane now but it's still a bit awkward. So any merry-making (however little) will be on hold till next week when my body parts get better. I wish there was some way to just replace faulty parts with brand new ones sometimes. Le suck, I know.

Obviously I couldn't do much today cos of my impairment, but thank god I got my laptop's internet connection up and running. Otherwise I'd be shit bored.So besides ordering t-shirts from threadless.com, renewing my Flickr account and breaking in my Google Chrome browser on my laptop (which I seldom use for surfing), I did cheer up a bit when I satisfied my pizza craving. Pepperoni. Yummy. Blame it on Food Paradise, the Discovery Travel & Living programme. They had a special on pizzas and I was salivating for a deep dish afterwards. I actually have a story to submit but meh.

I have a few posts lined up too, the more introspective ones you know, and recaps for the year, especially my Top 5 entertainments lists for 2008.Watch out for those soon! Thanks for the well wishes from those who actually read this blog. Yes, all 5 of you.

kaz

red october

Nov 13, 2008
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it's been two years since i'm on vox. it's been great to have an aside to just rant, comment and share my thoughts with noone in particular. time hasn't been kind though, and i haven't been updating my blog as much as i'd like. i've got quite a few things and events i'd like to post about but the last month has been rather turbulent.

my mum was warded for 2 weeks with final stage renal failure. the doc gave her 3 months if she didn't agree to dialysis treatment (she's been avoiding it since the start of the year). thankfully, she agreed this time but of course, now comes another headache in terms of the ongoing treatments etc. She's way better now though so that's the most important thing.

on top of that, i'm being redeployed to another division in a role which is yet to be explained to me. this was after they informed us that our title was being discontinued. i'm awaiting for the full brief which should be happening soon. i hope.

it hasn't been easy but i'm thankful that the people around me who knew of my predicament were so understanding. thanks, really.

what does your blog mean to you?

Sep 11, 2008
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Was reading this post here with interest. Essentially she's calling for a higher quality of read from the Singapore blogosphere.

I think it's a valid call. There's only so much you can suffer from reading about someone's whimsical daily activities and narcissistic obsessions. But, a blog is a different animal to each and everyone of us.

Before the proliferation of blogs, we had personal websites which were a bitch to build. I updated mine maybe about 3-4 times a month if I was in a good mood. It was extremely troublesome to code, test, FTP and rectify errors and repeat process. Site updates were more carefully planned I'd say. Not so prolific and sometimes even quite minimal. Even Mr Brown didn't update his site too often, except for his hilarious National Education series. Yes, yes I remember our Internet before we had tomorrow.sg and I had a website ten years ago. Damn I'm ancient.

Nowadays, you just type, link and save. So easy and convenient for us to post anything we want on a whim. It could seem random or insignificant to others but means so much to us. We do have a choice in terms of what we want to read anyway.

Although I believe all of us who keep blog crave the attention, the bulk of the reason is to keep it as a journal of sorts, of key moments, social connections and fond memories perhaps. I used to keep a physical journal though that was really because my teacher forced me too. Heh.

Unlike my old website which I dedicated to Liverpool and the MTV VJ Nadya Hutagalung, my Vox blog is an escape. At first, it gave me a creative outlet to write in a non-regimented manner and keep my creative juices going and now, it gives me a canvas to just write randomly without bothering about coming up with catchy headlines, keeping to stories or deadlines etc. I just write whatever I feel like writing and I think it's a nice sidetrack to my regular writing routine. Srsly, ever since I've been writing, I have neglected a fair bit of other things I used to do, such as this blog and my weekly music newsletter.

I respect those who can focus on a specific field/professional industry and write knowledgably on their chosen topic. It takes discipline and commitment. But that's probably a small segment of all bloggers. We all have a particular passion but whether we carry it on as some have, depends a lot on why we started the blog in the first place. The function may evolve over time but I think, once maintaining a blog becomes a chore, then it's a shame. Then eventually it just fades out of our lives. I think it'll probably happen to us sooner or later, depending on the commitments we have but if it serves our function, then stick with it for your own happiness.

Most of us don't blog for a higher purpose and I don't see a problem with that. We should always enjoy what we do and not be pressured to produce a work which we perceive people want or expect.Er, unless you're paid by people to do that lah.

Insightful posts are of course more than welcome once in a while if that's all you can manage but hey, it's your blog. When I get bored of a particular site, I just find somewhere else to read that I'll like.

So what does your blog mean to you?

sidetracked.

Aug 19, 2008
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feel like i've been sort of meandering lately. Losing a bit of focus in what I want to do though well, that's a little hazy right now. I'm not listening to the voices in my head who I know have my best interests in mind.

Need to rewire things, refocus and get back to me from 4years ago.

or maybe i should just plan a proper get away.